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Associate, Food and Agribusiness, SBI - Job Opportunity at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

London, United Kingdom
Contract
Mid-level
Posted: June 9, 2025
Hybrid
£65,000 - £85,000 per year, reflecting the specialized nature of climate finance expertise combined with agricultural sector knowledge in London's competitive development finance market. The role's requirement for 6-10 years experience and master's-level technical education, combined with EBRD's position as a premier multilateral development bank, supports compensation at the upper end of mid-level development finance roles.

Benefits

Comprehensive competitive benefits package positioning the organization as a premium employer in the international development finance sector
Flexible hybrid workplace model demonstrating progressive work arrangements that enhance work-life integration while maintaining operational effectiveness
Access to diverse international professional networks spanning financial, political, public and private sectors across EBRD investment regions
Professional development opportunities within a pioneering international organization focused on sustainable development and climate finance
Inclusive multicultural work environment that celebrates diversity and provides exposure to global perspectives and cross-cultural collaboration
Employee wellbeing programs reflecting organizational commitment to staff health and sustainable career development
Opportunity to contribute to meaningful impact work affecting regional development and climate transition initiatives

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic business development and marketing initiatives to expand EBRD's climate finance portfolio in food and agribusiness sectors, directly influencing the bank's regional investment strategy and market presence
Lead identification and structuring of innovative low-carbon investment opportunities across private and public sector clients, positioning EBRD as a pioneer in sustainable agriculture finance aligned with Paris Agreement objectives
Develop and implement cutting-edge financing vehicles and technical assistance programs that aggregate and scale climate investments, creating new market standards for sustainable agribusiness financing
Execute high-level policy dialogue with government authorities and regulatory bodies to accelerate sector decarbonization, influencing national and regional climate policy frameworks
Conduct comprehensive market analytics and sector research to inform strategic investment programs, providing critical intelligence that shapes EBRD's regional approach to sustainable agriculture development
Manage complex client relationships and cross-selling initiatives that maximize EBRD's competency deployment across agricultural value chains, driving revenue growth and market penetration
Support implementation of the joint EBRD-FAO Agri-food Climate and Environmental Sustainability (ACES) Initiative, contributing to global food system transformation efforts
Lead capital investment appraisals for sustainable resource technologies, making recommendations that influence millions in development finance allocation

Requirements

Education

Relevant degree (minimum Master Level) in a technical, engineering or science discipline, (e.g. food /process/chemical/industrial/ engineering)

Experience

6-10 years of technical and commercial work experience

Required Skills

Good knowledge and understanding of the Paris Agreement and of the design/development/implementation of Low Carbon Roadmaps/Pathways Good understanding of policy analysis and policy formulation in the areas of climate change, resource efficiency, energy efficiency, technology transfer and energy Good understanding of the Climate related impacting the agribusiness value chains, in terms of climate physical risk, carbon transition and corresponding methodologies and metrics Knowledge and experience with energy/resource efficiency technologies and practices with a very strong awareness and interest in the related issues (energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management, process optimisation, materials efficiency, circular economy and operation of commercial assets etc.) Good understanding of business and finance principles Experience in emerging markets, specifically the EBRD region Computer literacy and excellent written/oral communication skills in English Ability to operate consistently within business guidelines and ethics and work sensitively in multicultural environments Self-motivated, ability to work to and meet tight deadlines and to plan and organise work unsupervised Ability to communicate appropriate, concise and accurate information in verbal and written formats The ability to tackle issues and problems in a logical and practical manner
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The sustainable finance sector is experiencing unprecedented growth as climate regulations tighten globally, with agricultural finance representing a critical frontier for decarbonization efforts. International development banks are increasingly positioned as key intermediaries between climate policy objectives and private sector implementation, creating substantial demand for professionals who can bridge technical agricultural knowledge with sophisticated financial structuring capabilities. Digital transformation in agribusiness is accelerating the need for innovative financing mechanisms that can support technology adoption across emerging markets. The convergence of climate finance, agricultural technology, and circular economy principles is creating new investment categories that require specialized expertise in both technical agricultural processes and complex financial instruments. Post-Paris Agreement policy frameworks are driving regulatory changes across EBRD regions, creating opportunities for development finance institutions to influence national climate strategies while generating commercial returns. This regulatory environment is increasing demand for professionals who can navigate complex policy landscapes while structuring bankable climate investments.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a specialized team of 8-12 climate finance professionals, collaborating across matrix organizational structures with regional banking teams, policy specialists, and external partners including government agencies and private sector clients.
This is a substantive mid-level professional role with significant independent responsibility for deal origination, client relationship management, and policy dialogue. The position operates with considerable autonomy while reporting to senior leadership, indicating strong influence over strategic initiatives and substantial decision-making authority within defined parameters.

Key Projects

Development and structuring of multi-million dollar sustainable agriculture financing facilities for private sector clients across emerging markets Implementation of innovative circular economy financing mechanisms that aggregate smaller agricultural investments into scalable portfolios Technical assistance program design and management for climate technology adoption across agricultural value chains Policy dialogue initiatives with national governments to develop enabling regulatory frameworks for agricultural climate investments

Success Factors

Deep technical understanding of agricultural processes combined with sophisticated financial modeling capabilities enables effective structuring of complex climate investments that meet both developmental and commercial objectives Strong relationship-building skills across diverse cultural contexts and institutional environments, essential for managing stakeholder relationships spanning government agencies, private sector clients, and international donor organizations Analytical rigor in market assessment and risk evaluation, critical for identifying viable investment opportunities in emerging market agricultural sectors while maintaining appropriate risk-return profiles Strategic thinking capability to connect individual transactions with broader policy objectives and market development goals, ensuring investments contribute to systemic sector transformation rather than isolated interventions

Market Demand

High demand driven by the critical intersection of climate finance expertise and agricultural sector knowledge, particularly as international development banks expand their climate portfolios and governments increase focus on agricultural decarbonization strategies.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Paris Agreement knowledge and low-carbon pathway development expertise are essential as they form the regulatory and strategic framework within which all investments must be evaluated and structured. This knowledge directly impacts the bankability and developmental effectiveness of every transaction Agricultural value chain understanding combined with climate risk assessment capabilities represents the core technical competency that differentiates this role from general climate finance positions. This expertise is critical for identifying viable investment opportunities and structuring appropriate risk mitigation measures Policy analysis and formulation skills are vital for engaging effectively with government counterparts and contributing to regulatory development that enables private sector climate investments. This capability directly impacts the success of policy dialogue initiatives and regulatory reform efforts

Beneficial Skills

Emerging markets experience, particularly in EBRD regions, provides crucial contextual understanding for navigating complex institutional environments and cultural dynamics that significantly impact investment success Multilingual capabilities, especially in French, Russian, or Arabic, substantially enhance effectiveness in stakeholder engagement and market development activities across EBRD's diverse regional operations Cross-cultural communication and relationship management skills are increasingly important as climate finance requires coordination across diverse institutional environments and cultural contexts to achieve systemic impact

Unique Aspects

This role offers rare exposure to the intersection of international development policy, agricultural sector expertise, and sophisticated financial structuring, providing a unique professional profile that is increasingly valuable in the growing climate finance sector
Direct involvement in the joint EBRD-FAO initiative provides access to global agricultural policy networks and influence over international food system sustainability frameworks
The position combines hands-on deal execution with high-level policy dialogue, offering both technical skill development and strategic relationship building at the intersection of public and private sectors
Located within EBRD's London headquarters, the role provides access to European financial markets while focusing on emerging market opportunities, creating unique cross-regional expertise

Career Growth

3-5 years to senior investment officer level with demonstrated success in deal origination and execution, or 2-3 years to specialized advisory roles leveraging the unique combination of technical and financial expertise developed in this position.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Investment Officer or Principal roles within climate finance divisions of multilateral development banks, typically involving larger deal sizes and greater strategic responsibility Climate finance advisory roles with major consulting firms serving government and private sector clients in agricultural sector decarbonization Private sector positions with agricultural technology companies or impact investment funds focusing on sustainable agriculture investments Senior policy roles with international organizations or government agencies focused on climate and agricultural policy development

Company Overview

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is a premier multilateral development bank established to support market economy development and democratic transition across its regions of operation. With a strong focus on private sector development and sustainable investment, EBRD has emerged as a leading institution in climate finance and green economy transition, managing a portfolio exceeding €13 billion in annual investments.

EBRD maintains a distinctive position among multilateral development banks through its focus on private sector engagement and market-based solutions to development challenges. The institution's AAA credit rating and strong shareholder support from 71 countries provides exceptional financial stability and access to capital markets, enabling innovative financing approaches that other institutions cannot replicate.
EBRD's London headquarters serves as the strategic and operational center for the institution's activities across 38 countries from Central and Eastern Europe to Central Asia and the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean. This positioning provides unique access to both European capital markets and emerging market investment opportunities, creating exceptional professional development prospects for staff.
The organization maintains a cosmopolitan, intellectually rigorous culture that combines the analytical standards of investment banking with the mission-driven focus of development finance. Staff benefit from exposure to high-level policy discussions, complex financial structuring challenges, and meaningful development impact, creating a uniquely stimulating professional environment that attracts top-tier talent from both private and public sectors.
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